– Rotowire –

Mavs Gaming put together the largest comeback in the brief history of the NBA 2K League, rallying from a 15-point deficit to start the second half and securing a critical 81-74 victory over Celtics Crossover Gaming.

15 points wasn’t even the largest deficit of the game, as Mavs Gaming actually trailed by 20 points late in the first half. A combination of excellent defense, terrific work on the glass, and near pinpoint shooting helped Boston gain the massive advantage, as Celtics Crossover Gaming went on a rampage through the first 12 minutes. It’s tough to highlight which stat was more impressive for Boston as the club posted six steals to the Mavs zero, while also claiming a 12-to-6 rebound advantage and connecting on 65 percent of their shots from the field.

But it all collapsed in the third quarter, as Mavs Gaming went on an inspired 21-6 run, thanks in large part to the efforts of No. 1 overall pick, Dimez, and his low-post teammate, Dayfri, who finished the game with yet another double-double (22 points, 10 rebounds, six assists). When they weren’t racing out in transition, the duo would torment the Celtics defense with a litany of high pick and rolls, resulting in either an easy shot for Dayfri, or an even easier kick out three for any of the Mavs wing players.

By the first possession in the fourth quarter, Mavs Gaming had claimed the lead, and their much maligned first half defense all but evaporated in the final two quarters. It’s telling that Boston managed to score 27 points in the first quarter alone, but only scored 24 points in the second half, as nearly every passing lanes was utterly shut down by Dallas. And what’s worse, the second chance opportunities that Celtics Crossover Gaming lived off of in the first half disappeared, as the club recorded just one rebound in the final 12 minutes.

The win now puts Mavs Gaming in excellent position for claiming a spot in THE TIPOFF Playoffs, as the victory gives them the head-to-head advantage over Celtics Crossover Gaming with both teams sitting at 2-1 in pool play.